Nature at 7 p.m. Sunday asks one of life’s funny questions, why do we like cats and dogs?

Masterpiece Classic at 8 p.m. Sunday presents Charles Dickens’ much-loved “Oliver Twist,” the story of a young orphan and his adventures in 19th-century London.

Through interviews with medical historians, psychiatrists and desperate families, American Experience at 8 p.m. Monday tells the gripping tale of the lobotomy, one of the most barbaric mistakes of modern medicine.

Simon Schama reconstructs the epic journey of John Clarkson, a young Royal Navy lieutenant, who was sent to North America to fulfill a promise of freedom to the African-American slaves who fought for the British in Rough Crossings at 9 p.m. Monday.

Nova at 7 p.m. Tuesday investigates the mysterious feathered dinosaurs that are challenging old ideas about the origin of bird flight, found preserved in China’s Liaoning Province.

Frontline at 8 p.m. Tuesday examines the causes of the worst economic crisis in 70 years and how the government responded, with inside stories of the Bear Stearns deal, the Lehman Brothers collapse, the propping up of AIG and the $700 billion bailout.

Independent Lens at 9 p.m. Tuesday tells the story of Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington’s co-composer, who wrote some of the greatest American music of the 20th century but struggled under the prejudice of being a gay man in the 40s and 50s.

Journey to some of Canada’s most isolated adventure destinations in Adventure Lodges of North America at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

American Masters at 8 p.m. Wednesday follows the life and career of director/choreographer Jerome Robbins, a man who transformed Broadway with shows such as “West Side Story,” “Gypsy” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Sarah McLachlan graces the ACL stage in support of her greatest hits album, “Closer” followed by British rising star Duffy in Austin City Limits at 10 p.m. Wednesday and 11 p.m. Friday.

Docubloggers at 7:30 p.m. Thursday looks at how the Museum of Weird in Austin is keeping Austin even weirder.

Downtown at 8 p.m. Thursday examines the role of public art, the history of Rainey Street and the resurgence of crafting.

Rick Steves journeys to Iran to better understand it’s rich and historic culture, as well as to capture a view of modern-day Tehran in Rick Steves’ Iran at 9 p.m. Friday.